Sunscreen – Naturally Confusing
“Hey you! The one standing in the sunscreen aisle. We couldn’t help but notice
you’ve been there for a while. Need some help?”
You've eliminated toxins from your deodorant, now let's rap about sunscreen.
Buying sun protection certainly isn’t what it used to be. There are a slew of studies
on the risks of chemical sunscreen and while information is empowering, it can also
become overwhelming.
Before you throw your hands up and decide to never leave the house again, here are
answers to common questions about natural vs. chemical sunscreen - so you can
move out of the pharmacy and onto the beach where it’s a lot more fun!
Do natural and chemical sunscreens work the same way?
Not at all. Chemical sunscreen contains a variety of chemical filters that are
absorbed by the skin. While convenient and less sticky than many natural
sunscreens, our skin transfers those chemicals into the blood stream. Studies have
linked chemical sunscreen absorption with hormonal and estrogen imbalance.
Here’s what The Breast Cancer Organization had to say:
“Many of these chemicals are considered hormone disruptors. Hormone disruptors
can affect how estrogen and other hormones act in the body, by blocking them or
mimicking them, which throws off the body's hormonal balance.” Full Article
Natural sunscreen sits on top of the skin, unabsorbed, creating a shield.
Ingredients are simply zinc oxide and/or titanium dioxide - many are a combination
of the two.
Will natural sunscreen make me look white?
Yes- ish. Although it’s easily avoidable. Zinc oxide is a sun protection hero but can
cause you to look like a Game of Thrones “White Walker.” So if that's a concern, find a
natural sunscreen with a low percentage of zinc.
Is sunscreen spray more harmful?
Yes. Not only do spray sunscreens have more chemicals, it’s hard not to inhale that
mist - whether you’re spraying it or not. If you can smell it - however faint - particles
are most certainly entering your body. Consumer Reports advises to not use spray
sunscreen on children. It’s terrible for allergies and can harm their underdeveloped
lungs. Ever heard of second hand sunscreen?
Spray sunscreens are also incredibly flammable. You never know when you could be
exposed to a flame at a BBQ or from a cigarette. The risk is simply not worth it, no
matter what your age.
Hopefully this gives you a better grasp of why going natural is a smart move. Some
information out there is fact, some is speculation, and some just feels like common
sense. After considering the potential risks involved, many are deciding it’s simply
not worth it. Gamble in Vegas, not with your health.
If you enjoyed this blog, you might also dig You Don’t Want Artificial Friends, Why Use Artificial Fragrances? and At What Age Do Children Start Needing
Deodorant?
Additional Sources
https://www.consumerreports.org/sunscreens/shining-a- light-on- natural-
sunscreen/